Lena Lunsford was taken into custody by authorities in Pinellas County, Fla., where she is awaiting extradition on a charge of death of a child by a parent by child abuse, Lewis County, WV, Sheriff Adam Gissy told The Exponent Telegram.

Lena Lunsford was taken into custody by authorities in Pinellas County, Fla., where she is awaiting extradition on a charge of death of a child by a parent by child abuse, Lewis County, WV, Sheriff Adam Gissy told The Exponent Telegram.

If the flood of prescription painkillers in West Virginia fueled the state’s opioid crisis, new prescribing guidelines being taught to medical students, future pharmacists and nurses are seen as critical to stemming the tide. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines to ensure patients have access to safer, more effective pain treatments while reducing the risk of opioid abuse.

If the flood of prescription painkillers in West Virginia fueled the state’s opioid crisis, new prescribing guidelines being taught to medical students, future pharmacists and nurses are seen as critical to stemming the tide. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines to ensure patients have access to safer, more effective pain treatments while reducing the risk of opioid abuse.

Five years into her sobriety, Elly Donahue is more than willing to give credit where it’s due. “Drug court was my first step to recovery,” said Donahue, who graduated from drug court in 2013. “It’s what pushed me in that direction. I’d been in and out of rehab numerous times before, but drug court makes you accountable and responsible for your actions. It’s what I needed.”

Five years into her sobriety, Elly Donahue is more than willing to give credit where it’s due. “Drug court was my first step to recovery,” said Donahue, who graduated from drug court in 2013. “It’s what pushed me in that direction. I’d been in and out of rehab numerous times before, but drug court makes you accountable and responsible for your actions. It’s what I needed.”

Two retired judges have been assigned to hear cases in RandolphCounty while the state Supreme Court considers an ethics complaint against sitting Judge Jaymie Godwin Wilfong.

In the order, Chief Justice Robin Davis said Wilfong's disqualification was warranted “to avoid even an appearance of impropriety.” It will remain in effect until the court deems the assignment is no longer needed, she said.

In October, Wilfong self-reported an affair with the director of an alternative sentencing program, but insists the extra-marital relationship never impacted her performance on the bench. Within days four additional complaints were filed by her law clerk as well as Prosecuting Attorney Michael W. Parker and a handful of attorneys.

Wilfong called the near two year-long affair "a mistake" but insists the illicit relationship with former North central Community Corrections Director Travis Carter "did not impair my ability to conduct court and do the work the citizens of RandolphCounty hired me to do."

Carter negotiated a settlement agreement with the county commissioners and resigned his job in December.

Wilfong has admitted to performing sexual acts in chambers on no more than three occasions, and also admitted sending sexually explicit emails and text messages, including a photograph, to Carter.

She has said the relationship ended in October and that she has not had any contact with Carter since and is working to repair the damage to her marriage.